Fed Cup Finals - Nov. 8th to 10th

[MargaretMcAleer]

Singles victories for Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova at the 02 Arena on Saturday moved the Czech Republic to within touching distance of a third Fed Cup Crown in four years.

The Czechs went into the tie unbeaten on home soil since 2009 and started on the front foot,Kvitova racing into an early lead against Andrea Petkovic.The first set soon followed and while Petkovic gained a belated foothold at the start of the second she could not stop Kvitova wrapping up a 62 64 victory.Despite the pressure of performing in front of 13,000 of her expected compatriots,Kvitova hid any nerves,finishing with 25 winners,from 77 impressive minutes on court "it was a very tough match" Kvitova said."I was so nervous,I really couldn't breathe too much.From the beginning I was so tight but I felt Andrea was the same way".

"From yesterday I felt a tight stomach and I couldn't really eat.It was so weird.Its very difficult to just relax a little bit.I am just glad how I played today.With these nerves it is really difficult to play my best tennis".

The Czech No 2,Lucie Safarova,rose to the occasion with similar aplomb,delivering a clincial display to defeat Angelique Kerber 64 64.Safarova last lost a home Fed Cup rubber in 2010,and recovered from a break down in both sets to keep this record intact.

"I am really happy because it was a great match," Safarova said."To beat a Top 10 player here at home and especially leading 2-0 up on the first day is amazing.The crowd were very important because every time I was down they were still cheering and pushing me forward".

Kvitova can clinch victory for the Czech Republic in Sunday's first singles rubber.She is scheduled to take on Kerber,against Germanys captain Barbara Rittner may be tempted to throw Sabine Lisicki into the fold.

Per WTA website November 8th.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Per Stuart Fraser tweet,

Kvitova v Kerber to open play in just one hour.( oh well there goes the rumors squashed that Lisicki might be the singles player instead of Kerber).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well the 1st set which was finally won by Petra 76 (5) had everything in it.Good rallies,winners and defense from both players.Kerber was serving 3 times for the 1st set,then got it to a t/break.

In the 2nd set,I wonder how much Kerber has left in the tank after that tight first set

Petra broke Kerber to love in the opening game of the 2nd set and then consolidated at love,Petra just broke Kerber again to go up 3-0 in the 2nd set.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kerber gets one of the breaks back.A very sloppy service game from Petra.
Petra leads 3-1 2nd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kerber breaks with a great fhand down the line winner.Petra wake up,last two service games from you have been sloppy to say the least

Back on serve 3 games all 2nd set.That is 4 games in a row from Kerber now.Kerber leads 4-3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kerber wins the 2nd set 64...all credit to Kerber for winning,Petra was up 3-0 in the 2nd set and appeared to be cruising,then Petra played a few sloppy services games.

Going into a 3rd set decider

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kerber breaks Petra with a cross court bhand winner
Kerber consolidates her break and leads 3-0...3rd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra gets the break back,as Kerber's fhand long
Back on serve in the 3rd set
Petra to serve 3-4

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

4 games all now.Kerber to serve
Petra with a BP with a cross court bhand winner
Petra breaks with a fhand winner and will serve for the Fed Cup Title 5-4

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Kerbie is putting up a good fight but it's not enough.

Petra in Czech Republic is undeniable.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kvitova d Kerber 76(5) 46 64

Credit to Kerber who pushed Kvitova all the way in this match.She moved Kvitova around the court with angles,making Kvitova play one more ball,also great defense

Congratulations to Czech for winning the Fed Cup Title 3-0

Well done to Petra and Safarova.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Congratulations to Petra and Co for winning the Fed cup and that too by completely crushing
Germany. Just 1 live set was given to Germany.

Now, imagine if only one can count on Petra everytime she comes to the court..................

 

[HawkEye]

Congratulations to the Czech team. You were amazing. Well done. :clap

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra Kvitova secured the Czech Republic's third Fed Cup in four years with a dramatic 76(5) 46 64 victory over Angelique Kerber on Sunday.No team in the 52 year history of the Fed Cup has ever overcome a 2-0 deficit in the final,and for a few hours,Kerber and her teammates dared to dream the impossible.But,no sooner had the German No 1 wedged open the door for the comeback of all Fed Cup comebacks than Kvitova slammed it shut in the most resounding fashion.

Kvitova looked to be cruising to victory when she led by a set and 3-0,but Kerber refused to lie down,fighting back to take the second set and then surged 4-1 ahead in the decider.Buoyed by a partisan crowd,Kvitova extinguished German hopes once and for all,bludgeoning her way through Kerber's defenses to win in the final five games of the match.

"It was an amazing match and I'm just glad I did it," Kvitova said."It was up and down from the beginning of the match and I had to fight for every single point.Maybe I was just lucky in the end.We will celebrate now".

To her credit.Kerber,who had struggled to find her best tennis against Lucie Safarova 24 hours earlier,performed with great spirit.In the first two sets alone,Kvitova hit nearly 50 winners,but the German refused to be intimidated either by her opponent's relentless assult or the cacophony of noise inside the O2 Arena."I'm a little sad,but I think it was an unbelievable match-we had ups and downs and we were fighting until the last point," Kerber said."The crowd was unbelievable.Now its over but its still an experience to be in the final and in the end I think the Czech girls deserved to win it."

The Czechs' resounding victory continues their recent domination of the competition, which they also won in 2011 and 2012.In contrast,Germany has not tasted Fed Cup success since Steffi Graf inspired them to victory over Spain 22 years ago.

Per the WTA website 9th November.